Spa Tek

Victory in Europe

Can we really wonder that Russia became paranoid after the last Great War? So many millions of its people killed it must have been so determined to maintain a buffer zone between itself and perceived enemies. That Germany was the most obvious enemy, and annexation of part of that great country seen as an adequate preventative measure seems obvious. Since those days we have had equally awful stories of the Stalinist regime, and none of this helps persuade me that mankind is making much sense.

In August we shall remember the millions slaughtered in Asia during the Japanese invasion of China and elsewhere. Even though time has passed it is still difficult to understand why the first atomic bomb was not dropped on a hillside close to a major Japanese city. Why did some many tens of thousands of innocent people have to be blown to pieces? The threat should have been enough, even for the Japanese leaders.

I'm a convinced pacifist, a ridiculous stance perhaps, but at least it keeps people alive. Those countries facing bloodshed are no better off. Iraq is an obvious example, Palestine is also poorly developed because America's political interests are with Israel. North Korea, Somalia - the list can be continued.

However protective we may feel do remember that America has not won a war since the renegade British living in North America in 1776 adopted that name. Vietnam has never suffered the persecution from communism that 57,000 brave US soldiers gave their live to fight against. Aggressive invasions do nobody any good.

Our real battles are with arrogant politicians, like Tony Blair, who take their fellow citizens into wars that nobody wants.

Nice new picture (well it was taken in 1976) of my two children and me in Austria. We drove to Northern Italy that summer - where it rained most of the time, In England there was a heatwave.

Such is life and memories

posted by Suffolk Notes @ 10:43 am